- May 30, 2025
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the Lancashire Lightning lately, the record of zero wins in their Championship campaign (with seven losses) has likely seemed bleak. Ouch. But in their Vitality Blast opener, against the Worcestershire Rapids, something changed. Keaton Jennings came out swinging, scoring 66 runs off 38 balls and leading Lancashire to a wonderful seven-run victory. Perhaps the clouds were beginning to lift, and you might have thought to yourself, maybe this bleak period is over? So, what did Jennings and the team do to inspire this resurgence, and what does it all mean beyond one win?
The Leader Lancashire Needed
Jennings’ innings was the definition of T20 brilliance. From the outset, he and opening partner Luke Wells set to work, smashing 79 runs in the first 8 overs. Jennings did not simply mindlessly score runs; every shot exhibited terrific shot selection. Jennings’ quick and powerful cuts, pulls, and power-slog sweeps were timed perfectly, as he made big boundaries look small.
What stood out to Jennings was how calm and controlled he was, despite having plenty of intent. His 30-ball fifty was not because he was reckless but spoke to Jennings’s intelligent batting, where his approach kept the scoreboard ticking while punishing anything loose. It was exactly what Lancashire needed to help shake off their Championship woes and build some momentum in the shorter format.
Bowling: The Unsung Heroes
While Jennings received the glory, the bowlers carried the majority of the burden. Spinner Fateh Singh, in his first T20, was worth his 2 for 23 and picked up important wickets at key stages of the game. Singh was able to show he could build pressure and make batters play shots; it also demonstrated the value of new players coming into the team.
Luke Wood impressed on the seam front, claiming 2 for 39 and defending 15 runs in a tense final over to edge Worcestershire out just below the mark. The thing that impressed me most with Wood was his coolness, demonstrating he could handle pressure. It was a masterclass and reinforced how important staying calm is with your head in T20, which is just as valuable as hitting sixes! In amongst the bowling excellence, there was also some brilliant fielding, with a great catch from Ethan Brookes and Josh Bohannon producing a brilliant run out to further add to Lancashire’s scorecard.
More Than Just a Win
This Vitality Blast win is more than three points, it is a psychological victory for a team that has not fared well in the Championship. With Steven Croft stepping in as interim head coach, there is a new vibrancy about Lancashire, and Croft has provided the “new manager bounce” which this team badly needed.
The question now is whether Lancashire can carry this energy into the longer formats. It’s all speed and spectacle in T20s, giving players the perfect stage to unleash their creativity. Taking confidence and flair into Championship cricket will not be straightforward, yet Jennings and the team can build on this together.
Lancashire’s Vitality Blast first match was a breath of fresh air, and a hard year so far. Jennings led as captain with intent and skill while also getting backed up by his bowlers and fielders. Not only was the win vital with two points, but you could see that it restored belief.
Sometimes it just takes one spark to turn a team around. Is this a spark for Lancashire? It is still unclear whether this will be the turning point, but for now, Lightning fans can toast a well-earned victory and look forward, smiling into the future. What do you think – will Lancashire build on this? Let us know in the comments!
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